What is Relational Joy?
Relational Joy is the namesake of my new couples group coaching program and website. I define Relational Joy as a state of “co-harmony” between two partners that is fairly consistent across time. Co-harmony is when each partner is relationally mindful of the other and each sees the relationship as its own entity that requires daily nurturing. Relational Joy is a combination of love, generosity, and cherishing. When partners are being their “best relational selves,” they can achieve a state of Relational Joy. This is what most couples are seeking and have a deep desire to achieve in their relationships.
Recently, I developed a group couples coaching program, Relational Joy With Dr. Pam, to help couples discover and achieve a state of co-harmony. This program is a new delivery system to help couples get what they want in a small group setting. It is a ten-week group program with six couples in each group. Each session is two hours long. There are three pillars of my program that are designed to help couples achieve Relational Joy.
The first pillar is acquisition of new relational skills. I have developed a library of skills called “The Relational Joy Tool Kit” to which each member of the group will have lifetime access. Most people are not taught the skills necessary to create co-harmony, deep connection and emotional intimacy. This tool kit is full of small, medium, and large tools that work in concert with each other. There is a new skill introduced to the group each week of the program. I then help each of you figure out how to apply that skill to your relationship.
The second pillar of Relational Joy is the power of the group. Most couples, when they need help, find a couple’s therapist and do private couples therapy. Very few options exist for couples to work on their relationship in a small, intimate group setting, like mine. The “power of the group” manifests in two basic ways. One is in witnessing another couple’s struggles and how they find their way to higher relational ground. Each couple will take a turn on the “hot seat” where they get coaching from me while the other five couples observe. There can be a lot to learn as you observe them do their work.
The other “superpower” of the group is to receive feedback from me and the other five couples. After the “hot seat” couple is done, the group members give the couple affirming and truthful feedback. I make sure that the group is an emotionally safe space for everyone which allows for deep connections to develop between the six couples. I was fortunate to get extensive training in group therapy in my doctoral program and have led many groups across my career. I love the power of the group and the impact it can have on its members!
The third pillar to Relational Joy is the care and oversight I bring to each person in the group. I am constantly keeping tabs on helping you, individually and as a couple, meet your goals and helping you achieve a state of co-harmony. I will be giving you instruction, guidance, and caring feedback about how your “non-relational” behaviors can transform to relational behavior with your partner. I will gently and truthfully hold each of you accountable for your part in creating the changes you are seeking.
As mentioned previously, this group coaching program for couples is a unique and powerful way to transform your relationship. This program is for couples of all ages and stages of life and with an array of relationship issues. With my leadership, training, and 38 years of clinical experience, I promise you that you will get significant results by the end of this ten week program.
Relational Joy is being offered in September 2022 and again in mid-January, 2023. Each group cohort will be limited to six couples. There will be openings for up to three cohorts. Every couple who submits an application and signs up will receive a Welcome Kit and have a two hour intake with me before beginning the group portion of the program. If couples want a “side bar” session with me during the ten weeks, they will receive a discount on my private couples coaching fee.
I invite you and your partner to start your journey with me in achieving Relational Joy. If you cannot join me, tell a friend, family member or someone else you know who could benefit from a unique program like this. I hope to hear from you!! Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you will continue to tune into my upcoming series of blogs.